Bull restraining halter



June 27, ,1939. F RAPP 2,163,855

BULL RESTRAINING HALTER Original Filed July 23, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor .4Horneys June 27, 1939. c RAPP 2,163,855

BULL RESTRA INI NG HALTER Original Filed July 23, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 for Czar/es 7 By M m.

Patented June 27, 1939 BULL RESTRAINING HALTER Charles F. Rapp, Churubusco, Ind.

Application July 23, 1937, Serial No. 155,298 Renewed May 8, 1939 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to animal restraining devices, and has reference in particular to a novel halter-style head gear applicable to bulls and equally ferocious animals, and so constructed as to temper and tame otherwise unfettered and dangerous head lunging and butting animals.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by a halter such as may be adequately harnessed on the head to insure proper maintenance thereof, said halter constituting a mount or carrier for animal actuated, pain inflicting means which is brought into play if and when the animal attempts to butt a person or other object in its path.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a structure perfected in accordance with the specific principles of the present invention showing the manner in which it is adapted for use.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side detail View of the spring return means, for the pain inflicting unit.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of said unit or frame.

In the drawings the halter is preferably of the specific construction shown. It is denoted as a unit by the numeral 5 and comprises a metal head stay member 6 of general L-shaped form in side elevational View. This extends centrally from a point in rear of the nose, along the forehead and over the head where it is connected as at 1 with a neck encircling strap or collar 8. This is of leather and provided with an adjusting buckle 9. Incidentally, an arcuate element l0 serves to provide a satisfactory connection between the stay strip or bar 6 and the collar 8. The numeral 1 I designates another leather head strap, this being fastened to the intermediate portion of the stay strip 6, provided with an adjusting buckle l2, and then attached to the neck encircling strap 8, as shown to advantage in Figure 2. The ring or annulus I3 is attached to the forward or lower end of the main supporting strip 6 and is adapted to encircle or embrace the fore portion of the head, preferably inwardly of the nose and mouth so as not to interfere with eating and drinking. This annulus I3 is preferably metal and both parts 6 and 13 are lined with felt or equivalent protector linings l4 and I5. Disposed in substantially horizontal position is a flexible steel connecting band I 6, this being joined to the bottom of the space ring I3 and the lower portion of the neck strap 8. .5

The pain inflicting unit or restraining device is indicated, as a unitary part, by the numeral [1. It is of the animal actuated type and wholly supported on the halter means 5.

structurally, and as shown to advantage in Figure 2, this part I! may be conveniently designated as a pivoted anti-butting, pain inflicting frame. It comprises a U-shaped portion whosebight it constitutes an object engaging abutment, the arms l9 extending in parallelism where they 15 join with substantially parallel, right angularly disposed attaching arms 20. The arms are disposed on opposite sides of the head and pivotally attached at diametrically opposite points as at 2| to the retention or supporting ring [3. The free ends of the arms 20 are curved into general hook formation, as indicated at 22, and connected together by a U-shaped adapter member 23. This bridges the nose of the animal and on its central portion it is provided with a keeper bolt or hook 24 to accommodate the nose ring 25. Manifestly, this ring is placed through the nose of the bull, as is generally done, and is engaged over the thrust hook 24.

I now call attention to the substantially V- shaped rods 26 secured by brackets or other means on diametrically opposite sides of the annulus [3. These are provided with coiled springs 21 and 28 which bear against embracing loops 29 mounted on the arms 20 at the points of juncture with the curved end portions 22. These springs act on the loops 29 in such a way as to' normally maintain the unit I! in a so-called neutral or normal and harmless position. It is evident, however, that if the bull charges a person 40 or an object, when the abutments [8 comes into contact with such object, it rocks the complete frame I! on the pivots 22 against the tension of the springs. This exerts an upward pull on the nose ring 25, and obviously so severely subjects the bull to pain as to at once change his temperament into a less cantankerous and somewhat docile state.

The forwardly projecting U-shaped part l8 of the pain inflicting frame or unit I1 is also advantageous for tying a rope thereto, or mas serve as a handle, whereby an attendant can manipulate it to control an otherwise uncontrollable stubborn animal.

Pull action on the bull nose ring is an up pull against the thick part of the nose. There is no interference with eating or driking, as all parts are free and away from this action. The halter remains on the animal in leading. Simply snap the lead chain to the ring and there is no interference by the halter. The halter weighs approximately 6 pounds, a balanced weight, and not too heavy for the animal. It is held in place regardless of the position of the animal's head.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a halter, and a sectional frame structure pivotally mounted thereon and including an abutment, a nosepiece adapted to bridge the nose of the animal, a ring holder connected to said nosepiece, and an operating connection between the abutment and nosepiece.

2. A device of the class described comprising a halter, and a frame construction pivotally mounted thereon and including an abutment, a nosepiece adapted to bridge the nose of the animal, a ring holder connected to said nosepiece, and an operating connection between the abutment and nosepiece, including return spring means for maintaining the abutment in a predetermined position in relation to said halter.

3. In a device of the class described, a halter including an annulus, a collar, and connecting members between the annulus and collar, and a sectional frame unit pivotally mounted on said annulus, and including a U-shaped abutment member, a nose ring, a hanger hook therefor, and a connection between the hanger hook and an adjacent part of said frame.

4. A pain inflicting unit adapted to be pivotally mounted on an animal halter comprising a frame embodying a substantially U-shaped abutment at one end, spaced parallel attaching and pivoting arms adjoined to the arm portions of said U-shaped abutment and extending at right angles therefrom, the opposite ends of said arms being of hook shaped formation, a U-shaped adapter and connecting member pivotally supported between the terminals of said hook shaped ends, said U-shaped member constituting a nosepiece, and means thereon to accommodate and hold in position a nose ring.

CHARLES F. RAPP. 

